One of the most gratifying experiences I have had during my medical career was visiting Dr. Len McEwen in London in the 1990’s at his office on Wimpole Street (next to famous Harley Street and the Royal Society of Medicine). Dr. McEwen, an immunologist and allergist and a brilliant clinician, has helped countless patients with complex medical problems. Most importantly he was the originator of a form of allergy treatment called enzyme potential desensitization, or EPD.

Today, the American version of EPD is LDA, or low dose antigen therapy. I have used LDA with my patients for the past 20 and have seen it dramatically help problems from food allergy, hay fever and asthma to colitis, IBS, arthritis, fatigue, migraine headaches, eczema, ADD and even autoimmune disorders. What these conditions have in common are immune and allergic aspects contributing to the cause of the illness.

The reason I call LDA a medical breakthrough is both its effectiveness for so many conditions and the way it works in the body. LDA uniquely builds tolerance in the immune system by targeting what are called T reg cells. Through the use of beta glucuronidase, (a lymphokine which is normally found throughout the body), the T reg cells are instructed to become tolerant to the antigens (extracts of food, pollens etc. that one can react to) in the LDA. The antigens are extremely dilute and include over 100 foods, molds, pollens, dust mites, environmental chemicals and gut bacteria (which have been associated with auto-immune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogrens, lupus and ulcerative colitis).

Compared to other allergy treatments, LDA can be more precise at targeting the T reg cells to train the body not to react to substances, which in reality cause no harm. Through a series of doses given every 2 months, LDA instructs immune memory cells to stop producing inflammatory molecules leading to recovery from a multitude of symptoms. Though this can take many months to accomplish, a study we did on EPD in the early 2000’s with over 10,000 patients showed significant improvement in over 80% of patients. There is no other form of allergy treatment that has this level of success with so many diverse conditions.

The gut microbiome consists of over 10 trillion organisms including bacteria, yeast, viruses and parasites. We know now the microbiome is one of the key determinants of our health, having a powerful effect on weight gain, diabetes, depression and digestive problems. In addition, an unhealthy microbiome can contribute to inflammatory bowel disease like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s, arthritis and other autoimmune disease and even heart disease.

A healthy microbiome creates a healthy immune response in the gut wall which contains 70% of the entire immune system. Bacteria in the gut create neurotransmitters, enhance immunity, control gene expression aid in absorption of nutrients, and protect the gut wall from damage. A healthy microbiome is dependent on a diet rich in fiber, low in sugar and chemical additives, and avoidance of drugs like antibiotics, acid blockers and anti-inflammatories.

The average Western diet and use of these medications leads to an unhealthy microbiome in many people. The consequence of bacterial and yeast imbalance is often increased with intestinal permeability (leaky gut), leading to inflammation, obesity, depression, anxiety, food allergy and fatigue. Gluten (the protein in wheat, rye and barley) exposure often makes it all worse.

Repairing this problem has helped our patients regain vibrant health. We assess the microbiome through stool, blood and urine tests and institute a program of a diet rich in fiber and fermented foods, probiotics and specific nutritional supplements. Prebiotics and probiotics can aid in weight loss, improved energy and better mood. In addition, our food allergy treatment program and detoxification techniques will lead to a healthier microbiome and resolve many symptoms, help weight loss and improve mood.

Integrative medicine in San Diego, CA

We individualize our approach and focus on resolving symptoms by treating the underlying cause using natural therapies and appropriate medical treatments. We serve patients from around the country, primarily focused in La Jolla, San Diego, North County, Orange County, and Los Angeles.